Why Hernia Volume Matters More Than General Surgical Experience
Almost every general surgeon repairs hernias. Very few do little else. That distinction is the one worth understanding before you choose anyone, because a hernia repair is a procedure where the difference between a routine result and a difficult one is often decided by judgment the surgeon has built up over hundreds of similar cases.
High volume in hernia specifically buys you three things. The surgeon has seen your variant before, including the awkward ones. They have a considered reason for choosing one technique over another rather than defaulting to the one technique they know. And when something unexpected appears during the operation, such as dense scar tissue from a previous repair, it is a familiar problem rather than a surprise.
Dr. Kumar holds MS and MRCS (England) qualifications along with FMAS and FIAGES fellowships, and heads the minimal access, robotic and abdominal wall reconstruction department at Billroth Hospitals. He has been performing laparoscopic hernia repair for more than 20 years, which predates its routine adoption in much of Indian practice.
Recognition: Dr. Kumar received the Times Health Award for Service Excellence in Laparoscopic Hernia and Gastrointestinal Surgery in 2025, and the Times Health Award for Service Excellence in Advanced Laparoscopy and Robotic Surgery in 2026.
Five Questions to Ask Any Hernia Surgeon
If you are comparing surgeons, these are the questions that actually separate them. Ask them of anyone you consult, including Dr. Kumar. The answers below are his.
1. How many of these repairs have you personally done?
More than 10,000 hernia repairs over 29 years, and more than 12,000 laparoscopic procedures across all types of surgery. Ask for a number, not an adjective. A surgeon who repairs hernias occasionally alongside a broad general caseload is a different proposition from one whose practice is built around them.
2. Which technique do you recommend for my hernia, and why that one?
The answer should reference your specific defect, not a general preference. Dr. Kumar performs open, laparoscopic and robotic repair, which means the technique can be chosen on merit. A surgeon who offers only one approach can only ever recommend that one.
3. What happens if my hernia comes back?
Recurrent repair is harder than first-time repair, because scar tissue obscures the planes the surgeon needs to work in. Complex and recurrent hernia repair is a core part of this practice rather than something referred elsewhere, which is worth knowing before you start.
4. What are the risks, honestly?
Every hernia repair carries some risk of infection, bleeding, chronic discomfort and recurrence. A surgeon who tells you there are none is not being straight with you. The relevant comparison is against the risk of leaving a hernia to enlarge and possibly obstruct.
5. When will I be back at work, given what I actually do?
A generic answer is not useful. Desk work after keyhole repair usually means one to two weeks. Loading trucks means considerably longer. Say what your job involves and ask for a date based on that, not on an average.
Hernias Treated at Billroth Hospitals
Each type is set out in full on its own page, including how it presents, how it is repaired and what recovery looks like.
How the Technique Is Chosen for You
There is no single best hernia operation, only the one that suits your defect and your circumstances. These are the three approaches and what each is genuinely good for.
| Approach | Best suited to | Typical recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Laparoscopic (keyhole) | Most primary hernias, and especially hernias on both sides. Mesh is placed behind the defect through incisions of roughly half to one centimeter. | 1 to 3 weeks, usually same-day discharge |
| Robotic | Complex and recurrent hernias, where wristed instruments and magnified vision help around scarred tissue. | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Open | Large, incarcerated or contaminated hernias, and emergencies. Also where general anesthesia is best avoided. | 3 to 6 weeks |
Open repair is not an inferior operation. It remains the right choice in specific situations, and a surgeon who never offers it is limiting your options rather than expanding them. Details of each technique sit on the laparoscopic repair, robotic surgery and mesh repair pages.
What Happens After Surgery
Most keyhole hernia repairs are day-care procedures, meaning you are admitted and discharged the same day provided someone can travel home with you. Expect soreness rather than severe pain for the first few days, gentle walking from the evening of surgery, and a review appointment where your lifting and work restrictions are set against what you actually do.
The full week-by-week picture, including when you can drive, lift and exercise, is on the hernia surgery recovery guide.
Where Dr. Kumar Consults
All consulting and surgery happens at Billroth Hospitals, 505, First Floor, OP Block, No: 11/59, Gajapathy Street, Shenoy Nagar, Chennai 600030. Shenoy Nagar is on the Chennai Metro Green Line, which makes the hospital reachable without driving from much of North and West Chennai.
If you are travelling in from a particular neighborhood, these pages set out the route from each: Anna Nagar, Kilpauk, Perambur and Koyambedu among others.
If a hernia has suddenly become hard, severely painful, discolored, or comes with vomiting, do not wait for a consultation slot. Go to the nearest emergency department. Our emergency hernia care page explains what happens next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hernia surgeries has Dr. Kumar performed?
Dr. Kumar has performed more than 10,000 hernia repairs across 29 years of practice, including over 12,000 laparoscopic procedures in total. Volume in hernia specifically matters.
Is it always necessary to operate on a hernia?
Not always. A small, painless hernia can sometimes be monitored. But surgery is the only way to close the muscle gap, so most people repair it eventually.
Which is better for me, keyhole or open repair?
That depends on the defect, your build, previous surgery and fitness for anesthesia. Most patients suit keyhole repair, but the decision is made after examination, not before.
Can a hernia come back after surgery?
Yes, though modern mesh repair makes it uncommon. Recurrence is more likely after emergency surgery, in smokers, and where a previous repair has already failed once.
How soon can I return to work?
Most people doing desk work return within one to two weeks after keyhole repair. Heavy manual work takes longer, and your date is set at the review appointment.
Do you treat complex and recurrent hernias?
Yes. Complex abdominal wall reconstruction and repair of hernias that failed previously are a core part of the practice, which is what the departmental role covers.
Book a Hernia Consultation
The hernia is examined and measured, the options are explained against your own circumstances, and you leave knowing whether it needs repair now or can be monitored.
Book an Appointment